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Excerpts from Mr. Duarte's January 28th 'Thursday Notes'
Please remember to abide by our health and safety protocols. These collaborative efforts help us stay safe and keep school open. To that end, we need everyone in our community to continue to follow state, local, and school safety guidelines both in and out of school. Also, please be mindful of the State of Connecticut’s travel advisory. If you do travel out of state make sure to contact our school nurses (860-929-5016).
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Thursday, February 4, 2021
Parent/Principal Forum
Guest: Jocelyn Tamborello-Noble, Department Supervisor of World Language
8:30AM - 9:30AM
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Conard Community MeetUp (virtual)
7:30PM - 8:30PM
see flyer below for details/to register
Monday, February 15, 2021
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
No School - Winter Break
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Board of Education Meeting (virtual)
7:00PM
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Safe Grad Moe's Fundraiser
4:00PM - 9:00PM
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Parent/Principal Forum
7:00PM - 8:00PM
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This Thursday, February 4th at 8:30AM
Joining us will be special guest, Jocelyn Tamborello-Noble,
Department Supervisor of World Language for WHPS,
who will be discussing the CT Seal of Biliteracy.
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Audience Cutout Fundraiser
We will miss having a live audience to perform to this year, but we are giving everyone a chance to brighten the auditorium with our fans’ smiling faces.
You can support our fundraising efforts by purchasing a cutout of yourself, family members, pets and friends. Every dollar raised will go back to supporting the musical.
Super Fan Cutout
$50.00 each and will be placed in the first 2 rows
General Admission Fan Cutout
$30.00 each and will be placed in rows 3 and beyond
Show Streaming Fan Cutout
$25.00 each
We are offering a discount to the G.A. cutout for those who purchase steaming access to the show in April.
For all the details, and a link to order your cutout
email Eric Mallinson
at
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All Conard parents and caregivers are invited to attend our monthly virtual MeetUps where we can connect and discuss relevant parenting topics and share with one another in a supportive space.
February: For this month's focus, let's check in about our teen's mental health and wellness, the topic from our January webinar. How are your children coping? What helps them, and what do they need help with? We look forward to this opportunity to meet up!
Thursday, February 11th - 7:30-8:30PM
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Conard Safe Grad 2021 Flocking |
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FLOCKING SEASON PRE-ORDERS TAKEN IN MID-FEBRUARY!
Flocking Happens: March-thaw thru June 4th
Flocks or Schools can be sent to celebrate graduation or any occasion! Attached to the Flock or School will be a note with your personal message. The Flock/ School stays in place on the recipient’s lawn for at least 2 days and delivery and pickup are done secretly by Conard volunteers.
Give a Flock or a School
Flock of Flamingos $30
Approximately 10 plastic flamingos placed on the recipient’s lawn with a “Flock for Conard Safe Grad” sign.
Double Flock of Flamingos $50
approximately 20 plastic flamingos on the recipient’s lawn with a “Flock for Conard Safe Grad” sign.
School of Sharks $30
A set of signs with one emerging shark surrounded by swimming fins in your lawn.
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The January 14th Community of Concern event, "Supporting Teen Mental Health" webinar brought together WHPS staff as well as local clinicians to share ways parents and caregivers can help teenagers manage stress during this challenging time. If you were unable to join us or wish to revisit the presentation, please see the links below.
For a list of teen mental health resources click here.
To take a brief Feedback Survey about the event click here. |
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Community of Concern: the joint Hall/Conard/Sedgwick PTO committee, supports the West Hartford Public Schools’ commitment to “be actively anti-racist in our thoughts, our actions.” Learn more about CoC here.
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Antiracist Action #23
February is Black History Month, in which we honor African-American achievements and contributions to American society and culture. Black History Month started in 1926 as “Negro History Week”, originated by Carter G. Woodson, of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. The first Negro Week was observed during the week of February which happened to be both the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.
“The celebration was expanded to a month” in 1976 when President Gerald Ford officially proclaimed Black History Month, and urged the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Since then, every president has designated February as Black History Month (africanamericanhistorymonth.gov).
During this 2021 Black History Month, we would like to honor two celebrated Black women poets, along with our own Eshe Griffith (Conard graduate 2020), and Earl Exum (West Hartford African American Social & Cultural Organization President) for their activism by listening to their voices.
‘The Hill We Climb’ by Amanda Gorman, is a powerful recitation from “the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history,” that is still in our fresh memory. Her spirit reminds us of another extraordinary young Black woman poet in the 18th century, Phillis Wheatley, who was “ the first African American to publish a book of poetry” in 1773.
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‘The Hill We Climb’
by Amanda Gorman
When day comes we ask ourselves,
where can we find light in this never-ending shade?
...
When day comes we step out of the shade,
aflame and unafraid
The new dawn blooms as we free it
there is always light,
if only we're brave enough to see it
If only we're brave enough to be it
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‘On Being Brought from Africa to America’
by Phillis Wheatley
'Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,
Taught my benighted soul to understand
That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too:
Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.
Some view our sable race with scornful eye,
"Their colour is a diabolic die."
Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain,
May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train.
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“Say the names of those lost.
Don’t let this just be a moment
Because this is my life everyday
This is my fight everyday…
Use your voice to bring change”
by Eshe Griffith
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“So what action can you take?
Educate yourself…
I believe if people learned the correct
black history versus the current white
supremacy they are taught,
people would respect black people, people
respect their culture, people respect
them as individuals…
they wouldn’t be able to justify killing
someone as if life didn’t matter”
by Earl Exum
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Special thanks to Jaeme Brennan McDonald for his BLM rally footage and to Kristen Mosquera, Boyd Production, LLC. for producing the BLM rally short videos, “Our Voices.” |
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Please note: “Our Voices” belongs to Community of Concern and its use without permission is strictly prohibited.
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This is a weekly group for girls ages 13 – 17 who would benefit from learning about positive body image and ways to cope with negative thoughts and feelings about their body. Participants will practice body appreciation and increase awareness of outside factors that negatively impact body image, such as social media, weight stigma, and diet culture. Weekly meetings will include a combination of educational videos, writing and drawing exercises, and group discussion.
10 weeks
Will meet virtually via Microsoft Teams Meeting
For more information contact:
Clinical Director
Martin Smith, LMFT
Phone: (860) 313-1119 ext. 1302
or
Group Facilitator
Isabella Randazzo, LMSW
Google Voice: (860) 840-7593
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The Bridge Family Center has a Covid-19 Resource Page, which provides relevant and timely information for children, adults, and families to help you manage your emotions and cope with your mental health concerns during this incredibly challenging time.
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West Hartford Public Library
Upcoming Mental Health Program for Tweens & Teens:
Mental Health Matters!: Q&A + Discussion with YA Authors Julia Tannenbaum & Jen Petro-Roy
Grades 6-12: Join us for an important conversation with authors and activists Julia Tannenbaum and Jen Petro-Roy, who will talk about their YA books that address eating disorders, mental health, and recovery.
Register online and you will be sent a Zoom link 24 hours before the event. Questions? Contact the teen department at kkarp@westhartfordCT.gov.
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Mark your calendar and plan to join us in the following months!
Please note that, in an effort to allow more of our Conard community to attend, some forums take place in the morning while others are in the evening.
Thursday, February 4th, 8:30 am
Thursday, March 4th, 7:00 pm
Thursday, April 1st, 8:30 am
Thursday, May 6th, 8:30 am
Thursday, June 3rd, 7:00 pm
Don't have access to Google Meet?
You can also join the forum by phone. Look for details in the coming weeks' e-news.
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E-News Subscribe / Unsubscribe
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DAILY STUDENT SCREENING
Remember to Ask Each Morning Before Sending Your Student to School:
- Does the student have a fever over 100 degrees OR not feel well?
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Does the student show signs of illness? click here for symptoms list
- Does someone in the household have a fever or signs of illness?
- Has the student been in close contact (within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) with anyone who is confirmed to have COVID-19 within the last two weeks?
If the answer is YES to any of these questions, DO NOT send the student to school. Instead, follow quarantine protocols for your child and contact your health provider as well as Conard. Strongly consider COVID-19 testing per West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District Guidance.
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CONARD PTO E-NEWS SUBMISSIONS
We are glad to help spread the word about events and happenings in our Conard Community. If you would like to add a flyer or information to the PTO E-News, submit your information by Friday before the week you would like your submission to appear to: conardpto@gmail.com.
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